Lewis County Veterans' Relief Fund and Veterans' Advisory Board
Lewis County's Veterans' Relief Fund, run by Public Health and Social Services in Chehalis, helps honourably discharged veterans and spouses at or under 200% of poverty with funeral costs up to $1,000, rent up to $1,000 or 75% of the rent, and up to $500 of food, gas, utility or medical help, paid to the vendor. Call the Veterans' Benefits Specialist, 360-740-1417.
The Veterans' Relief Fund is Lewis County's programme under chapter 73.08 RCW (see the Washington entry on county veterans' assistance funds), run by Public Health and Social Services.
What it helps with. "Veterans or spouses of veterans may be eligible for assistance through the Veterans Relief Fund": funeral expenses, utilities, rent or housing, emergency medical expenses, food vouchers and gas vouchers. "Qualifying applicants may receive: Funeral assistance up to $1,000; Rent/Housing assistance up to $1,000 or 75% of rent, whichever is lower; Up to $500 (no money is given to the applicant) in assistance for categories other than funeral expenses or housing." Each application is decided case by case.
Who. Household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, which is a wider test than many counties' 150%; a DD-214 showing a discharge under honourable conditions; a Washington driver's licence or photo ID and proof of one year's Washington residence; the spouse's ID or marriage certificate and dependants' birth certificates; and proof of income or of no income. Bring the original utility or funeral bill; for rent, the signed rental agreement and the landlord's W-9 (a relative is not a bona fide landlord).
Claims help. Under Resolution 26-006 (January 6, 2026) the county contracts with the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis (contract V02-0270-25) to fund a Veterans Service Officer who serves veterans and eligible family members; the Veterans' Benefits Specialist can direct a veteran to that officer.
How. Call the Veterans' Benefits Specialist, 360-740-1417 or 1-800-562-6130, for an appointment, or bring the application in Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Public Health and Social Services, 360 NW North Street, Chehalis.
What it paid. The page's tally of assistance to individual veterans (updated February 13, 2025) shows $21,347 for 22 burials or cremations, $11,613 of rent for 15 veterans, $4,641 of food assistance, $4,175 for 17 utility bills and $7,747 of other help.
The board. The Veterans' Advisory Board meets the first Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m. in the lower-level BOCC room of the Historic Courthouse, open to the public. In 2026 the commissioners appointed alternates Joshua Pickett and Jeremy Schlake and regular member Candace Johnson, approved the board's amended bylaws (Resolution 26-198, June 23, 2026), and on September 1 reappointed Anthony Rogers, made Jeremy Schlake a regular member and appointed Gregory Shadko as alternate (Resolution 26-379); the commissioners took up the 2027 mental health and veterans tax levies on September 28, 2026.
Thresholds
Thresholds for Lewis County Veterans' Relief Fund and Veterans' Advisory Board
Gate
Rule
Household income at or under 200% of poverty
Income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, a discharge under honourable conditions and a year in Washington. No rating is needed.
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Disclaimer
VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.